JP2002091177A - Liquid developing device, its maintenance method and method for recovering replenisher from liquid developing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce user's consciousness of the waste of remaining developer replenisher by using high-concentration developer, holding the replenisher in a developing cartridge, storing the residual amount of the replenisher and further giving a discount privilege on a new developing cartridge in accordance with the residual amount of the replenisher in a liquid developing device. SOLUTION: This liquid developing device 10 developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image supporting body with the liquid developer 1 is equipped with a liquid developer tank 210 and replenisher tanks 230 and 231 in the cartridge 200 provided detachably, and a storing element for storing the residual amount of the replenisher in the cartridge. Furthermore, the discount privilege at the time of purchasing a new developing device is given to the bearer of the developing device in accordance with the residual mount of the replenisher at the time of recovering the used developing device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electrostatic latent image formed by a method such as electrophotography, electrostatic recording, or ionography.
The present invention relates to a liquid developing device for visualizing using a liquid developer, and more particularly to improvement in maintainability and recyclability of a developing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A liquid developing apparatus has a feature that a high quality image faithful to an electrostatic latent image can be obtained because a fine particle toner of 1 μm or less can be used.

As a liquid developing apparatus using a liquid developer, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-15280 and
What is disclosed in -137285 is publicly known.

The liquid developing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-15280 discloses a developer in which a replenishing liquid developer is filled together with a high-pressure liquefied gas into a replenishing cartridge and the liquid developer used for development is stored. When replenishment of the liquid developer is required in the storage container, the liquid developer is ejected from the replenishment cartridge to replenish the liquid developer, and the container filled with the liquid developer for replenishment can be easily replaced.

Further, a liquid developing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-137285 includes a tube-like container filled with a high-viscosity liquid developer in which toner is dispersed at a high concentration in an insulating liquid; A compression device that extrudes the liquid developer filled in the container so as to be squeezed out, and a developing belt that carries the liquid developer extruded from the tube container by the compression device, is provided. By contacting the toner, the toner is supplied to the latent image surface of the photoreceptor. Since the storage means is a cartridge, the developer can be supplied or replaced without soiling the hands.

Further, as a technique for detecting and storing the remaining amount of the cartridge to improve the maintainability, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 8-224885 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-314375 disclose.
What is disclosed in the patent is known.

[0007] JP-A-8-224885, JP-A-11-1999
The technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 314375 discloses a technique of assigning an ID number to an ink cartridge and detecting and storing the remaining amount of ink. The remaining amount of ink can be managed for each ink cartridge. Even if the cartridge is replaced with a new one, it can be attached again to use up the ink effectively.

[0008]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems.

That is, in the conventional liquid developing device,
There is no means to recover the liquid developer from the developer storage container,
Once the liquid developer is supplied from the replenishment cartridge to the developer storage container, it is necessary to use up the liquid developer in the developer storage container, and there is a problem that waste is increased particularly when developing a small number of copies. there were. Furthermore, since the developer storage container is not sealed, there is a problem that the developer dries and adheres to the developer carrying member, thereby deteriorating the image quality.

Further, in the conventional liquid developing device, since the liquid developer is supplied directly from the storage means to the developer support, it is necessary to strictly control the storage means, and there is a problem that the handling property is deteriorated. Was. Furthermore, if the developer support is composed of multi-stage rollers, maintenance is difficult,
There is a problem that the attached liquid developer dries and adheres to the developer support, resulting in deterioration of image quality.

[0011] Further, the technology disclosed in the prior art does not disclose a technology for improving recyclability, and there is a concern that the technology will have an adverse effect on the environment such as an increase in refuse.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems and a liquid developing apparatus and a maintenance method thereof, and efficiently uses a replenisher added to keep a non-volatile concentration of a liquid developer constant. It is intended to provide a method for recovery.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an electrostatic latent image formed on an image support is formed by a static developer using a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed in a highly insulating solvent. In a liquid developing apparatus for developing an electro-latent image, a liquid developer tank is provided in a detachably provided cartridge, and a replenishing liquid tank is added to keep a non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer constant. I made it. Further, the cartridge is provided with a storage element for storing the remaining amount of the replenisher.

As described above, since the liquid developer tank and the replenisher tank are housed in the same cartridge, the number of maintenance parts is reduced, and the maintainability is improved. Further, by storing the remaining amount of the replenisher on the cartridge side, the process management of the cartridge alone can be easily performed when the cartridge is recycled, and the recycling efficiency can be improved.

Further, by calculating a discount amount for purchasing a new cartridge according to the remaining amount of the replenisher,
It is possible to reduce the user's awareness of waste of the remaining replenisher, to improve the user's awareness of recycling, and to improve the efficiency of collection for recycling.

Further, by increasing the discount rate stepwise as the remaining amount of the replenishment rate increases, it is possible to reduce the user's wasteful awareness of the remaining replenisher.

Further, by changing the supply amount of the replenisher in accordance with the printing rate, the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer can be kept substantially constant, so that stable development can be continued.

Further, by using two kinds of replenishers, a high-concentration replenisher higher than the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer and a low-concentration replenisher lower than the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer, an image having any printing rate can be obtained. Since the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer can be kept substantially constant even during development, stable development can be continued.

Further, the provision of the osmotic membrane at the boundary between the liquid developer and the replenisher allows the liquid developer to have a function of keeping the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer constant by the osmotic pressure. The nonvolatile content of the developer becomes more stable.

Further, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image support is used in a liquid developing apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image with a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed in a highly insulating solvent. According to the remaining amount of the replenisher at the time of collection of the used replenisher, by giving the developer of the developer a discount privilege at the time of purchasing the new replenisher, it is possible to reduce the wastefulness of the user with respect to the replenisher, and The user's awareness of recycling can be improved, and the collection efficiency for recycling can be improved.

Further, the nonvolatile content of the developer may be 1%
By setting the weight to 30% wt, the supply amount of the liquid developer to the developer support can be reduced, so that the developer supply means can be simplified. Further, since the required amount of the liquid developer is small, the capacity of the liquid developer storage means can be reduced, and the liquid developer and the image forming apparatus using the same can be downsized.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an image forming apparatus using a liquid developer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The recording paper 117 is held in the recording paper holder 115, and when an instruction to start printing is given, the paper feed roller 1
16 rotates clockwise in the figure, and feeds and conveys the recording paper 117 in the recording paper holder 115. The separation blade 1 pressed against the paper feed roller 116 with a predetermined pressing force on the way.
18 prevents the conveyance of a plurality of recording papers.

Photosensitive belt 107 as image support
Is wound around the photoreceptor belt conveyance roller 119 and given a predetermined tension.

When the photoreceptor belt 107 is conveyed counterclockwise in the figure, the surface thereof is uniformly charged, and then the laser beam is scanned by the laser optical system 106 in correspondence with the image of each color, and the electrostatic latent image is transferred. An image is formed. In this embodiment, the surface potential of the recording paper is controlled so as to have the same polarity as the charged polarity of the toner particles. This makes it difficult for the toner to adhere to the recording medium. Fog caused by the developer in the non-image area, which is a problem when performing the above, can be effectively prevented.

The photosensitive belt 107 is further conveyed, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized by a developing cartridge 200 as a developing unit. In the present embodiment, a developing device for four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan and black is provided, the above-described developing process is performed for each color, and the developed toner image of each color is transferred onto the intermediate transfer drum 109. , Layer over. Further, the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer drum 109 to the recording paper 117 by the transfer roller 110, and then fixed by the fixing device 112 to obtain a full-color image.

In this embodiment, the developing device elastic support 4
And a developing device cam 114 for each color for moving the developing cartridge 200 in the left-right direction in FIG. The choice of color is done by things. At this time, the gap between the developing roller and the photosensitive belt 107 is managed by a gap adjusting mechanism (not shown).

A voltage is applied to the developing roller so that the toner moves toward the developing roller by an electric field between the surface of the recording paper and the developing roller. This makes it difficult for the toner to adhere to the recording medium, so that fogging due to the developer in the non-image area, which is a problem when performing development using a high-density developer, can be effectively prevented.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the developing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The developing device 10 includes a removable developing cartridge 200, and includes a developer holding section 222 and a developing roller 228 immersed in a liquid developer held therein. Immersion here should be interpreted in a broad sense.

The developing roller 228 is rotatably supported around its axis by bearings 224a and 224b. The bearings 224a and 224b are
09. Gap holding rollers 223a and 223b are disposed at both ends of the developing roller 228, and abut on a photosensitive belt (not shown) to secure a developing gap. Further, a gear 226 for rotating the developing roller 228 is fixed to one end of the developing roller 228, and a driving force of a developing roller driving motor (not shown) attached to the recording apparatus main body is transmitted. You.

The liquid developer tank 210 holding the liquid developer 1 is held in a pressure chamber 213 shielded from the outside air, and the pressure chamber 213 is
16. Furthermore, inner chassis 216
Is fixed to the developer holding section 222 and the liquid developer tank 210 is connected to the supply / recovery pipe 2.
12 communicates. A check valve 227 is connected to the supply / recovery pipe 212, and the flow direction of the developer during supply is from the liquid developer tank 210 to the developer holding unit 2.
22, it is restricted in one direction from the developer holding part 222 to the liquid developer tank 210 at the time of collection. The pressure chamber 213 is connected to the pressure generating chamber 215 by the pressure transmission pipe 214.
Is in communication with The pressure generating chamber 215 has, for example, a structure like a bellows type dropper and is deformable by an external force. One end of the pressure generating chamber 215 is fixed to the inner chassis 216. The other end of the pressure generating chamber 215 is fixed to a developing device cover 209 which is movable relative to the inner chassis 216 (up and down direction in the figure).
When the inner chassis 216 and the developing device cover 209 move relatively against each other, the pressure generating chamber 215 is deformed. Due to the deformation of the pressure generation chamber 215, the internal pressure of the pressure generation chamber 215 changes, and this change in pressure is transmitted to the pressure chamber 213 via the pressure transmission pipe 214, and this pressure acts on the liquid developer tank 210. The relative displacement between the inner chassis 216 and the developing device cover 209 causes the pressure generation chamber 2
When the pressure 15 is compressed, the pressure chamber 213 is pressurized and the liquid developer tank 210 is compressed, so that the developer 1 in the liquid developer tank 210 passes through the supply / recovery pipe 212 and the developer holding section 222. Supplied to In this case, check valve 227
The movement of the developer and the gas flowing from the liquid developer tank 210 to the developer holding portion 222 along the supply pipe 208 is prevented by the action of (1).

In this embodiment, the inner chassis 2
The developing device 16 is fixed to a recording apparatus main body (not shown) by fixed arms 218a and 218b, and the developing device cover 209 is moved by the rotation of a developing device cam (not shown) provided in the recording apparatus main body. The pressure generating chamber 215 is compressed by moving it upward in the figure via the elastic supports 229a and 229b. Further, in the present embodiment, the bearing of the developing roller 228 is
9, the developing roller 228 also moves upward in the figure as the developing device cover 209 moves, and is pressed against a recording paper (not shown). The developing roller 228 is provided with a gap holding roller 223 having an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the developing roller 228 by a predetermined amount, and defines an interval between a photosensitive belt (not shown) and the developing roller 228. .

When the developing device cam (not shown) provided with the recording apparatus main body is rotated from the developing position at the end of the developing operation, the developing device cover 209 is driven by the spring force of the return spring 219.
Moves downward in the figure. When the developing device cover 209 moves downward in the drawing, the developing roller 228 whose bearing is fixed to the developing device cover 209 also moves downward in the drawing, and the developing roller 228 separates from the recording paper (not shown). The development is completed. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the developer holding portion 222 has a cylindrical shape substantially equal to the outer circumference of the developing roller 228. When the developing roller 228 moves downward in the figure at the end of the development, the developing roller 3 It is in close contact with the inner surface of the part 222 and is held. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the developer is not opened to the outside air at the time of non-development, the deterioration of the developer due to the diffusion of the solvent can be suppressed. Further, the shape of the inner surface of the developer holding portion 222 is
8, the contact surface between the developer holding portion 222 and the developing roller 228 can be increased, and the sealing property can be improved.

On the other hand, when the developing device cover 209 moves downward in the figure, the pressure generating chamber 215 is extended,
Negative pressure is generated inside 13. This negative pressure causes the pressure chamber 21
3 is decompressed and the liquid developer tank 210 expands, so that the developer 1 in the developer holding part 222 is supplied to the supply / recovery pipe 2.
The developer is collected in the liquid developer tank 210 through the liquid developer tank 210. At this time, the supply / recovery pipe 21
2, the movement of the developer and the outside air flowing from the developer holding portion 222 to the liquid developer tank 210 is prevented.

In this embodiment, the developer having a non-volatile content of 10% to 30% is used, and the supply amount of the developer can be reduced. be able to.

The developer 1 in the developer holding portion 222 can be agitated by repeatedly performing the relative displacement between the inner chassis 216 and the developing device cover 209.

In this embodiment, the developing section such as the developing roller 228 is housed in the cartridge together with the liquid developer tank 210 and the replenisher tanks 230 and 231.
Although it is detachably held from the recording apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the developing unit such as the developing roller 228 remains in the recording apparatus, and the liquid developer tank 210 and the replenisher tank 230 And 231 may be housed in a cartridge and held detachably from the recording device.

In a liquid developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image support with a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed, a removable cartridge is provided. A developing roller that is immersed in a liquid developer in a developer holding unit, and a replenisher filled with a liquid developing tank connected to the developer holding unit and a replenisher that is a non-volatile component of the liquid developer in the cartridge; A liquid developing device provided with a tank is provided.

The replenisher tank has a high-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having a higher concentration than the non-volatile component in the liquid developer, and a lower-concentration replenisher having a lower concentration than the non-volatile component in the liquid developer. And a low-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having the following formula:

Instead of forming the liquid developing tank and the replenisher tank independently as described above, the liquid developing tank and the replenisher tank can be integrated and the boundary between them can be formed by a permeable membrane.

An apparatus for measuring the replenisher remaining in the replenisher tank is provided, and a storage device for storing the measured remaining amount of the replenisher is provided.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, 100 is a recording device,
Reference numeral 200 denotes a developing cartridge detachably provided from the recording apparatus 100, and 300 denotes a control unit in the recording apparatus 100.

A storage element such as an IC chip is provided in the developing cartridge 200, an ID storage unit 201 for storing a serial number of the developing cartridge 200, an ink remaining amount storage unit 202 for storing a remaining amount of the developer, and a developing device. Ink concentration storage unit 203 for storing the non-volatile concentration of the developer, replenishment remaining amount storage unit 204 for storing the remaining amount of the replenisher added when the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer is kept constant, and printing of the developed image A print information storage unit 20 for storing print conditions such as a rate
5, a recycle rate storage unit 207 for storing the recycle rate of the developing cartridge calculated from the remaining amount of the replenisher.

When a printing instruction is given from an external controller 400 such as a personal computer, the printing means control unit 30 in the control unit 300 according to the image data 401.
By 1, printing means 101 including a laser optical system, a developing device, a fixing device, a paper transport system, and the like is controlled, and printing is performed. At this time, the printing rate calculation unit 303 stores the image data 401
Calculate the printing ratio from Here, the printing ratio is defined as the ratio of the area of the colored region to the entire image forming area.
In order to keep the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer constant, the ink concentration management means control section 302 calculates the amount of replenisher to be added to the liquid developer based on the previously obtained printing ratio, and To supply a predetermined amount of replenisher. The remaining amount of ink, the concentration of ink, the remaining amount of replenisher, and the like obtained by the control unit 300 each time development is performed are stored in the storage unit in the developing cartridge 200. Note that an ink density detection unit 206 is provided in the developing cartridge, and the control unit 300
The accuracy of density management can be improved by comparing and correcting the ink density calculated by the above.

Also, by input from the operation keys 104,
A recycling rate is calculated by a recycling rate calculating unit 304, a recycling point is calculated by a recycling point calculating unit 305 based on the calculation result, and the result is displayed by a display unit 105 such as a liquid crystal display. Here, the recycling rate is a value corresponding to the ratio of the initial amount of the replenisher and the remaining amount after use,
If 30% of the initial replenisher remains in the replenisher tank, the recycling rate is basically 30%. However, since the quality of the developer may deteriorate with the passage of years from the date of manufacture of the developing cartridge, the ratio of recyclable replenisher that can be recycled after collection is calculated, taking into account various conditions. Will be displayed. The recycle point indicates a discount on the price when a new developing cartridge is purchased next time, and is a value linked to the recycle rate. However, it is desirable to round the numerical value appropriately to prevent complicated handling, and to increase the numerical value stepwise as the recycling rate increases.

As in the present embodiment, the recycling rate is displayed in accordance with the remaining amount of the replenisher and reflected in the price discount when purchasing a new cartridge, thereby reducing the user's wasteful consciousness of the remaining replenisher. In addition, the user's awareness of recycling can be improved, and the collection efficiency in recycling can be improved.

The coefficient used for calculating the recycling rate is determined in advance according to the tendency of the replenisher to change with time.
By storing the data in the D storage unit 201, it is possible to perform control corresponding to the improvement of the material.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration when the developing cartridge of the present invention is collected.

When the developing cartridge 200 is inserted into the developing cartridge collecting device 500, the situation is recognized by the cartridge detecting means 503, and the developing cartridge 20 is inserted.
Various kinds of information stored in the storage elements in 0 are read into the control unit 600. The recycle rate and the recycle point are calculated by the recycle rate calculator 603 and the recycle point calculator 604 based on the information read here. Ticketing means 5 controlled by ticketing means control unit 601
01, a recycle ticket with a clear recycle point is issued. Instead of issuing a recycling ticket, a configuration in which a recycling point is written on a magnetic card or the like may be used.

The developing cartridge 200 inserted into the developing cartridge collecting device 500 is provided with a cartridge collecting means controlled by the cartridge collecting means control unit 602.
By 502, the developing cartridge is stored in the collecting device 500. The collection information 701 is communicated to a maker or a recycling company via the communication line 700, and the development cartridge 200 is collected and recycled as appropriate.

FIG. 5 shows the recovered BO of the liquid developing apparatus of the present invention.
X is an example.

The developing cartridge collecting device 500 is provided with a developing cartridge collecting port 507, through which a developing cartridge is inserted. Guidance on operation, calculation results, and the like are shown on a display unit 505 such as a liquid crystal panel, and the operator operates the operation panel 508 according to the display. On this occasion,
Voice guidance from the speaker 510 is also used. Further, the operation of the operator is captured by the monitor camera 509, and is used as input to the operation panel 508 to determine the intention of the operator.

Next, a method for adjusting the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer will be described.

In the liquid developing apparatus of the present invention, the liquid developer used in the development is collected and reused in the liquid developer tank in order to use the liquid developer without waste. When a large number of sheets are developed in such a system, as shown in FIG. 6, the non-volatile component concentration of the liquid developer changes depending on the printing rate. This is because, in the case of the present developing device, toner particles are consumed in the colored region and the solvent is consumed in the non-colored region. The density decreases, and when an image having a small printing rate (small colored area) is continuously developed, the non-volatile content after printing increases. FIG. 6 shows the density change obtained by calculation while keeping the printing rate constant, and it has been confirmed by actual printing experiments that the density change matches the actual density change well. For this reason, the density after development can be predicted by obtaining the printing rate from the image data, so that the supply amount of the replenisher can be calculated so as to mitigate the density change.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a high-concentration replenisher tank 230 having a higher concentration than the nonvolatile concentration of the liquid developer 1 and a low-concentration replenisher having a lower concentration than the nonvolatile concentration of the liquid developer 1 are provided. A tank 231 is provided with two types of replenisher tanks. By providing two types of replenishers in this manner, the high-concentration replenisher tank 230 is kept in place when an image with a high printing rate continues, and the low-concentration replenisher tank 231 is kept in an appropriate amount when an image with a low printing rate continues. By adding it to the developer, the non-volatile concentration of the liquid developer can be kept almost constant, and the development state can be kept stable.

Information such as the remaining amount of the replenisher calculated by the control unit in the recording apparatus is stored in the storage element 232 provided in the developing cartridge 200 via the storage element terminal 233.

As described above, in the maintenance method of the liquid developing apparatus for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image support with the liquid developer in which the charged toner particles are dispersed, The remaining amount of the replenisher in the replenisher tank filled with the replenisher supplied to maintain the concentration of the minute at a predetermined value is measured, the measured remaining amount of the replenisher is stored, and the replenisher tank is stored. The present invention provides a maintenance method for a liquid developing apparatus that displays the remaining amount of a replenisher when a cartridge is replaced.

According to the remaining amount of the replenisher, a discount amount for purchasing a new cartridge can be calculated and displayed.

Further, the electrostatic latent image formed on the image support is developed with a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed. A developing roller for immersing the developer in the liquid developer in the holding unit; a liquid developing tank connected to the developer holding unit; and a replenisher tank filled with a replenisher that is a non-volatile component of the liquid developer. In the method for recovering a replenisher from a liquid developing device, a liquid for recovering the replenisher remaining in the replenisher tank by removing the replenisher tank from the cartridge by removing the replenisher tank from the cartridge. A method for collecting a replenisher from a developing device is provided.

Also in this method, a discount amount for purchasing a new cartridge is calculated according to the remaining amount of the replenisher,
Can be displayed.

When a used developing device including the cartridge, the developing roller, and the developer holding unit is used and collected, a discount amount for purchasing a new developing device can be calculated according to the remaining amount of the replenisher.

A high-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having a higher concentration than the non-volatile component in the liquid developer, and a replenisher having a lower concentration than the non-volatile component in the liquid developer are filled. The high-concentration replenisher and the low-concentration replenisher may be separately collected from the low-concentration replenisher tank.

[0066]

According to the present invention, there is provided a cartridge type liquid developing apparatus which is easy to collect and maintain. Furthermore, a high-concentration developer is used in which the vapor of the carrier liquid of the developer is hardly scattered into the atmosphere, and a developer circulation device for controlling the concentration of the developer is not required. By keeping the replenisher added when maintaining the non-volatile content at a predetermined level in the developing cartridge and storing the remaining amount of the replenisher, collection and maintenance become easier. Further, by giving a discount privilege of a new developing cartridge according to the remaining amount of the replenisher, the handleability of the developer cartridge is improved, the user's consciousness of the remaining replenisher is reduced, and the user's recycling is reduced. Awareness can be raised, and collection efficiency for recycling can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus using a liquid developer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front configuration diagram of a developing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration at the time of collecting the developing cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a recovery BOX of the liquid developing device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of prints and the non-volatile concentration of ink after printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Developer, 10 ... Developer, 14 ... Back electrode, 15 ... Belt charger, 16 ... Peeling charger, 17 ... Peeling nail, 1
8 surface electrometer, 19 heat roller, 20 oil coating blade, 21 rear roller, 22 exhaust fan, 2
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Exhaust hole, 24 ... Operation plate, 25 ... Discharge port, 26 ... Discharge roller, 40 ... Rotating shaft, 41 ... Contact charger, 42 ... Image surface charger, 100 ... Recording device, 101 ... Printing means, 1
02: ink density management means, 103: cartridge detection means, 104: operation keys, 105: display means, 106 ...
Laser optical system, 107: photosensitive belt, 114: developing device cam, 115: recording paper holder, 116: paper feed roller, 11
Reference numeral 7: recording paper, 118: separation blade, 119: photosensitive belt conveying roller, 200: developing cartridge, 201:
ID storage unit, 202: remaining ink amount storage unit, 203: ink concentration storage unit, 204: replenishment remaining amount storage unit, 205: printing information storage unit, 206: ink concentration detection unit, 207: recycling rate storage unit, 208 .., Supply pipe, 209, developing device cover, 210, liquid developer tank, 211, scraping blade, 212, supply / recovery pipe, 213, pressure chamber, 2
14 pressure transmission pipe, 215 pressure generation chamber, 216 inner chassis, 217 developer recovery chamber, 218 fixed arm, 219 return spring, 220 shutter, 221
Thin film forming blade, 222: developer holding part, 223: gap holding roller, 224: developing roller bearing, 225 ...
Developing roller rotating shaft, 226: developing roller driving gear, 22
7 check valve, 228 developing roller, 229 developing device elastic support, 230, 231 replenisher tank, 232 storage element, 233 storage element terminal, 300, 600 control section, 301 printing means control Unit 302: ink density management means control unit 303: printing ratio calculation unit 304, 603
Recycling rate calculator, 305, 604: Recycle point calculator, 400: External controller, 401: Image data, 500: Developing cartridge collecting machine, 501: Ticket issuing means, 502: Cartridge collecting means, 503: Cartridge detecting means, 504 ... Operation keys, 505 display unit, 601 ticket issuing unit control unit, 602 cartridge collection unit control unit, 700 communication line, 701 collection information.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Mieko Ishii 502 Kandachicho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Pref. Machinery Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. Within Hitachi Taga Electronics (72) Inventor Junichi Matsuno 502 Kandachi-cho, Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki F-term in the Machinery Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. CC63 EE07

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A liquid developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image support with a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed, comprising: a removable cartridge; A developing roller for immersing the developer in the liquid developer in the holding part; a liquid developing tank connected to the developer holding part; and a replenisher tank filled with a replenisher liquid that is a non-volatile component of the liquid developer. And a liquid developing device. 2. The liquid replenisher tank according to claim 1, wherein the replenisher tank comprises a high-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having a higher concentration than a non-volatile component in the liquid developer. And a low-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having a lower concentration than the minute concentration. 3. The liquid developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid developing tank and the replenisher tank are integrated and a boundary between the two is formed by a permeable membrane. 4. The liquid developing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device for measuring a replenisher remaining in the replenisher tank, and a storage device for storing the measured remaining amount of the replenisher. . 5. A maintenance method for a liquid developing apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image support with a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed. The remaining amount of the replenisher in the replenisher tank filled with the replenisher supplied to maintain the predetermined value is stored, the measured remaining amount of the replenisher is stored, and the cartridge for accommodating the replenisher tank is measured. A maintenance method for a liquid developing device, comprising: displaying a remaining amount of a replenisher at the time of replacement. 6. The maintenance method for a liquid developing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a discount amount for purchasing a new cartridge is calculated according to the remaining amount of the replenisher. 7. A method for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image support with a liquid developer in which charged toner particles are dispersed, comprising: a removable cartridge; A developing roller for immersing the developer in the liquid developer in the holding part; a liquid developing tank connected to the developer holding part; and a replenisher tank filled with a replenisher liquid that is a non-volatile component of the liquid developer. Wherein the replenisher tank is removable from the cartridge, and the replenisher remaining in the replenisher tank is recovered by removing the replenisher tank from the cartridge. A method for collecting a replenisher from a liquid developing device. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein a discount amount for purchasing a new cartridge is calculated according to the remaining amount of the replenisher. 9. A discount amount for purchasing a new developing device according to a remaining amount of a replenisher when a used developing device comprising the cartridge, the developing roller, and the developer holding section is collected. Calculating the replenisher from the liquid developing device. 10. A replenishing solution recovery from a liquid developing device according to claim 6, further comprising a device for measuring a replenishing solution remaining in the replenishing solution tank, and storing the measured remaining amount of the replenishing solution. Method. 11. A high-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having a higher concentration than a non-volatile component in a liquid developer, wherein the replenisher has a lower concentration than the non-volatile component in the liquid developer. A method for recovering a replenisher from a liquid developing device, comprising separately recovering a high-concentration replenisher and a low-concentration replenisher from a low-concentration replenisher tank filled with a replenisher having a concentration.